Hank Steinbrenner, general partner and co-chairperson of the Yankees, died Tuesday morning from a longstanding health issue, according to the Yankees.
He was 63. Steinbrenner is the oldest son of George Steinbrenner and one of the four siblings who own the team’s controlling shares. The team said he died at home in Clearwater, Florida
“Hank was a genuine and gentle spirit who treasured the deep relationships he formed with those closest to him,” the Steinbrenner family said in a statement. “He was introduced to the Yankees organization at a very young age, and his love for sports and competition continued to burn brightly throughout his life.”
A chain smoker and miniature drag racer, Hank hoped to succeed as father as the team’s controlling owner. Between the 2007 and 2008 seasons, he became the public voice of the Yankees’ ownership.
He did not appear to have much involvement in the team’s operations in recent years and devoted more time to racing interests.
